Drake Holds Off Desbrow by a Foot

Mini Stock division defending champion Marty Desbrow of Ventura recorded come-from-behind wins in a trophy dash and in a heat race Friday at Ventura Raceway, but his third race--the 20-lap main event--was not a charm. Jeff Drake of Fillmore took the lead from Joe Silva of Port Hueneme on Lap 6 and held on to edge Desbrow by no more than a foot. Bill Hanline of Ventura took third place.

Eight-lap Mini Stock heat-race winners were Ernie Malone of Ojai and Desbrow. Desbrow also won the four-lap trophy dash.

Brothers Bill and Ron Bartels finished one-two in the 20-lap Street Stock main event.

Doug Thornton of Ventura won both heats and the eight-lap Modified Mini Stock main event.

Forty-five minutes after his Street Stock trophy-dash victory, Zeke DeRose of Sun Valley recorded a win in an eight-lap heat race.

Other heat winners were Tony Famularo of Simi Valley, in his first race at Ventura, and Bill Bartels of Culver City.